Review of The Vikings (1958) by Benjamin N — 07 Feb 2013

Directed by Richard Fleischer, (20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (1954), Fantastic Voyage (1966) and Soylent Green (1973)), this is a very epic and grand adventure film based on the novel The Viking by Edison Marshall, which in turn was based on the sagas and poems of Ragnar Lodbrok.

It's the kind of old fashioned adventure that came from this era, and it has a grand and epic cast to it's name as well. After the King of Northumberland dies, the new heir to the throne is the kings cousin Aella (Frank Thring) is the new heir to the throne, but Viking King Ragnar (Ernest Borgnine) had it off with the late King's widow, when the child is born, Ragnar sends the infant boy to Italy.

Years later, now a man, Erik (Tony Curtis) goes to Norway with nobleman Lord Egbert (James Donald), to help Erik in his claim to the throne, but Erik immediately incurs the wrath of his half-brother Einar (Kirk Douglas), Ragnar's legitimate son and heir.

Then, matters are further complicated when both Erik and Einar fall for Princess Morgana (Janet Leigh), who is engaged to be married to King Aella. It's a big epic soap opera, but it is very entertaining, even though it's stars either keep their American accents or they don't, but it is a compelling and lavish adventure film, complimented with some brilliant cinematographer by Jack Cardiff and a heroic score by Mario Nascimbene.